What’s a Writer to Do?

Okay, I trapped you with the title, snagged you with the summary, and now I have to fulfill my obligation to offer you more and write compelling content?

Yes.

Unfortunately, there are many writers and bloggers out there that think that titles and summaries, heavy on SEO keywords should be enough. Well, they aren’t. Writers and blogger need to put as much time, energy, and effort into their content as they do the other two components.

It’s that simple and that hard.

And it’s not enough that you ranked well last week, either. If you’re fortunate and have returning readers, what are you writing today that is different than yesterday – even on the same topic?

Become the Reader

Try switching places from writer to reader and remember how inundated you are with choices in what to read. With so much information available, readers can afford to be demanding. Plus, they are looking at other posts while you’re still trying to find a catchy title. When you switch from writer to reader, ask yourself:

Why should they read your article rather than the top listing on Google?

Do your readers stay on the site and read other posts or just your current offering?

Sites that get hits satisfy the “What’s in it for me” needs of the reader.

What Readers Do

Readers want and need information that will:

Better their lives

Entertain them

Help them gain an advantage

Improve something

Inform them about a subject, topic, or news

Solve a problem

However, for most readers, the greatest need is a quick, informative, and engaging read.

So, when you’re creating your blog, go to those sites that appeal to you, see what makes it memorable and then replicate that in your own voice and style. Just as most of us do not like the mechanized voice mail, many readers do not like a generic article. They want to read something that reads like your other articles.

If you use humor, then find a place where it is appropriate.

If you are a storyteller, add a human-interest side.

If you have experience – either positive or negative on the subject, add this.

If you qualify as an expert in the topic, let the readers know why you are credible.

Creating any post requires the writer to give information in a way that ultimately translates into loyal followers. But beyond the writing, the entire post must be easy for the reader to navigate and enjoy.

Formatting Information: Easy to Read and Find

Break your article into sections with subheadings. People don’t read online articles the same as they read a book. They want breaks – whether they are subheadings or images. I looked at newspapers for a reference. A newspaper has titles, sections, short paragraphs, and images. Breaks, subheadings, and images are the norm for newspapers worldwide, and it’s not just for English-speaking readers, either.

Learn the rules of paragraphs and white space, which describes blank lines or spaces between words, letter, and lines of type or paragraphs.

When you use white space effectively, readers get a visual break, and writers have an opportunity to insert images and videos to emphasize a word, sentence, or concept.

A simple rule: If you are changing ideas, or information then create space, in much the same way that you do for paragraphs.

Think about your piece and it’s natural breaks. These sections make reading easier and more appealing, and when it’s appealing, your readers will make it to the end of the post.

Make the Entire Post Engaging and Informative

Bullet points also break up your page, giving readers “eye relief”. Bullet points should be one line long, not extending beyond the margins. Otherwise, you are writing a paragraph.

Use bullet points if all the descriptors have equal value.

One way to distinguish that there is no hierarchy in the points is to alphabetize the bullet points. Use the sort function in Word and put your bullet points in alphabetical order. This way, it is obvious that you as the writer are not placing more importance on one component than the other. However, if there is a hierarchy, put the bullet points in the order of importance.

Use Numbered Lists if there is an order of importance in the descriptors or if the directions would extend beyond one line of type.

More than what I have to say about a topic, readers want references about the subject. I use quotes, links, and questions in many of my articles. I like to use them to reinforce what I am writing about as well as elicit responses from readers.

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Published by Marilyn L. Davis

Marilyn is a recovering addict with 29 years in abstinence-based recovery. She opened and ran an award winning women's recovery home from 1990-2011. Closing the house gave her time to write for a larger audience at From Addict 2 Advocate, where she is the Editor-in-Chief.
She is also the Assistant Editor at Two Drops of Ink, encouraging other writers to share their creativity and talents. She believes in the power of words and knows that how something is said is just as important as what is said.
She is a charter member of the Cult of the Paper, which just means that she's been reading for a long time. Also, she is not embarrassed to profess her love of words, wit, and wonder.
Her writing at Two Drops of Ink tends to be encouraging, full of alliterations, humor and as one fan put it, "Generous advice and common sense."
She is also the author of Therapeutic Integrated Educational Recovery System (TIERS). She is the recipient of the Liberty Bell Award, given to non-attorneys and judges for their work within the Criminal Justice Systems and in 2008, Brenau University created the Marilyn Davis Community Service Learning Award, given to advocates in wellness, mental health and recovery.
View all posts by Marilyn L. Davis

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11 comments

Great, great, GREAT post! Thank you! Blogging is a balancing act, and I love the quote about appeasing both new readers and current ones. As someone building my blog and trying to encourage/aid other writers, this was so helpful 🙂

Thank you for another helpful and engaging post! I find myself conflicted at times, when writing my blog. I want to write the way that I speak, but then incorrect grammar can aggrivate me.
I think I’ll find the middle ground, as I keep practicing.
Thanks for sharing your wisdom and insight with us Newbies.

Hi, Abbie, thank you for the encouraging words. I think sharing is just ingrained from meetings. I believe that the same principle works here as well. What I share frees up space within me to learn what I need to learn at any given time.

It is possible to write as we speak and still have the grammar right. Do you use any of the grammar checks in your writing? It’s a simple way to check behind yourself and find those pesky problems. Grammarly.com is a good one to try.

Hi, Josslyn. Thanks for the comment. My most common mistake is a semi-colon. I’ve said before that I think I just like the shape, however, that doesn’t mean that because it’s an attractive symbol that I should use it incorrectly. Reviewing this, I see that I did not succumb to the urge to insert one in my comment. Maybe I’m learning.

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